Florida

Theme parks

When Walt Disney’s grand plans for Magic Kingdom were brought to life in Orlando back in the Seventies, it set the precedent for things to come. Today, the Sunshine State is the world leader when it comes to theme parks. There are no less than 15, including 6 Disney creations, and other household names like Universal Studios Florida®, SeaWorld® Orlando and Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay.

Malls, greens and restaurants

White-knuckle rides and worlds of make-believe are only part of the picture, though. With city-sized malls, world-class golf courses and more restaurants per head than any other US state, Florida pulls out all the stops to impress the tens of millions of visitors it receives every year.

The everglades

Pierce the tourist bubble, meanwhile, and you’ll discover national parks, dense forests and swamplands teeming with the region’s resident alligators. The Everglades are your best bet for outdoor adventure – hiking, kayaking and hot-air ballooning are just a few of the ways you can explore.

The beach scene

Then there are the beaches to consider. Shelving gently into the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, the swathes at St Pete’s, Fort Myers and Clearwater are among the best in the country.

Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. More than 50,000 acres of turf in the region are covered by amusement parks, and the lion’s share is owned by famous names like Universal and Disney. There are more roller coasters out here than there are days in the month. On the whitest knuckle rides you get launched from 0 to 40 miles per hour in 2 seconds and become inverted 5 times at 50 miles-per-hour. There’s plenty for families, too – killer whale shows and tours of Cinderella’s castle are just the start of the story.

Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. More than 50,000 acres of turf in the region are covered by amusement parks, and the lion’s share is owned by famous names like Universal and Disney. There are more roller coasters out here than there are days in the month. On the whitest knuckle rides you get launched from 0 to 40 miles per hour in 2 seconds and become inverted 5 times at 50 miles-per-hour. There’s plenty for families, too – killer whale shows and tours of Cinderella’s castle are just the start of the story.

WHEN TO GO

Long hot summers and mild winters make Florida a year-round hit. Temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s, but the humidity can make it feel hotter. The most popular time of the year for visitors is the summer, when the temperatures are their highest. Bear in mind, though, this is also the rainy season. From June to September, downpours and thunderstorms are common in the afternoons and early evenings. They tend to be heavy and last for just a few minutes, before stopping as suddenly as they started.

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